Gransnet forums

Books/book club

The children’s book you remember best

(522 Posts)
MawtheMerrier Tue 22-Mar-22 09:36:25

There are so many wonderful children’s books these days, from The Gruffalo to Amelia Fang, Gangsta Granny to Alex Rider.
But is there one book which made a special impact on you as a child?
For me it will always be Charlotte’s Web. It was read to me when I had Scarlet Fever , maybe not the ideal choice as I cried and cried, but for me a story I will never forget.

Eva3 Wed 23-Mar-22 12:21:57

'Family from One End Street' - oh yes! I can see the cover now.

Eva3 Wed 23-Mar-22 12:20:08

As with so many of you, it was the books read aloud to us chapter by chapter at the end of the school day - last year of Primary - which have stayed with me. Our head teacher read to us and we really looked forward to that part of the day. We were allowed to rest our heads on the desk. My head mistress was also my auntie (not always to my advantage!) so that made the reading extra special. I remember especially:
'Jeremy' by Hugh Walpole, 'Jennie' by Paul Gallico and 'Emile and the detectives'

GrandmasueUK Wed 23-Mar-22 12:19:47

Started with Enid Blyton’s Noddy books, followed by all the other series, which I have been buying for grandsons now. The Tree that Sat Down,The Borrowers, Chalet School series (and now in-fills from GGBP), Timpetill, Marianne Dreams and Miss Happiness and Miss Flower are all books that I still have and read and enjoy occasionally.

DutchDoll Wed 23-Mar-22 12:19:00

The Water Babies,
Children of the New Forest, Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare, The Famous Five books,
Alice in Wonderland.
Shirley Flight Air Hostess.

missdeke Wed 23-Mar-22 12:17:47

I enjoyed so many of the classic children's books, but 2 particular favourites were Heidi, given to me by an aunt who had received it from my nan for her 12th birthday, and Children of the New Forest which encouraged my lifelong love of history.

DanniRae Wed 23-Mar-22 12:15:27

I had "The Wind in the Willows" was read to me at school and I really loved it smile

Rileysnana Wed 23-Mar-22 12:10:17

Enid Blytons were my favourites. The Faraway Tree especially.

Nanny27 Wed 23-Mar-22 12:09:46

Absolutely loved The Family from One End Street.
The Katy series by Susan Coolidge
The mystery stories by Enid Blyton.
I wonder if today’s children read books over and over again like we did.

MummyJoJo62 Wed 23-Mar-22 12:06:22

Mary Plain and The Owl Man
It got me into reading

bunny17 Wed 23-Mar-22 12:04:03

Toms midnight garden

Dancinggran Wed 23-Mar-22 12:03:32

I was an avid reader as a child loved Enid Blyton especially the Famous Five, the Faraway Tree books but also Heidi, What Katy Did, Black Beauty but one I always remember was a book serialised in a magazine and read to us by our teacher 'Children on the Oregan Trail' by Anna Rutgers Van Der Loeff, we were 8 years old and couldn't wait for our Friday afternoon storytime to find out what would happen next on their journey.

Alioop Wed 23-Mar-22 12:02:56

All the Famous Five books as they remind of going to our caravan. I got a new one to read each holiday, I just loved them.

Bankhurst Wed 23-Mar-22 12:01:31

To me ‘RSVP’ has always meant ‘rat shan’t visit party’ as explained by Little Grey Rabbit

grannybuy Wed 23-Mar-22 11:59:24

My copy of Anne of Green Gables - it was my mother’s school prize book in 1939. I knew nothing about it until, while staying with an aunt, I found it in my cousin’s bookcase. I was ‘hooked’.

sweetcakes Wed 23-Mar-22 11:59:00

Malcom Saville and the Lone Pine Five I would save my pocket money to buy them. I treasured them until my mother gave them away saying I was too old for them she didn't look at the bigger picture!!

Suemid Wed 23-Mar-22 11:58:54

Loved Black Beauty, Heidi, Little women Robinson Crusoe Treasure Island, what Katy did Oliver Twist all books really l loved reading

Pudding123 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:57:50

Just William and Enid Blyton Mallory Towers ,I always wanted to have a midnight feast...

Theoddbird Wed 23-Mar-22 11:55:35

I loved The Twins at St Clare's. I think it was escapism. Also remember The Family at 1 End Street and the Jennings books. Anthony Buckeridge came to my school so started reading those. I was an avid reader from an early age.

WendyBT Wed 23-Mar-22 11:53:42

Five on Kirren Island.

A much older friend gave me her copy and I read it while sick with measles.

hf59 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:53:29

The Family From One End Street

Annaram1 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:51:24

I hope somebody can enlighten me as to the author and detilas of this book, a real beauty. It was about a couple of children who find an old empty house in the woods and explore it. It had a staircase with what appeared to be rabbits footprints on it. Years later the children, now adults, get married and live in the house. There is a mysterious scary man dressed all in black who changes into a crow. The woman tries to save the rabbits from him... Can't remember any more and if anyone can give me details I will try to find a second hand copy.

nahsma Wed 23-Mar-22 11:51:13

Pookie - I've never seen any copies except mine. It was a small series and I loved them. Also Heidi and the Arthur Ransome books when I was a bit older.

Lynda152 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:51:04

I have very fond memories of snuggling up to my Mum at bedtime and I would always ask for a book about Kandy the Koala bear. I would love to find a copy now. They were published in the 1950s and had brown covers with pictures. I think the books were illustrated by Mary Brooks who also did the Noddy illustrations I believe.

Socksandsocks01 Wed 23-Mar-22 11:49:58

I loved all of Enid Blyton. Was never away from library it was my escape. As an adult I loved Flat Stanley more than my son did. Haha

Leedee Wed 23-Mar-22 11:49:28

Anne of green gables, this book was mentioned here before, it sparked my memory… there were a few editions, but managed to find the one of my younger years on eBay, read it through covid lock down, just as special now!